Kelly's Loss Will be Felt

By Peter Branigan

26 April 2018

Followers of the small ball in the capital were disappointed to hear over the weekend that Peter Kelly won’t be donning the Blue jersey again. The 2013 All-Star announced his decision to step away from the Dubs so that he could prolong his club career with Lucan Sarsfields.

As well as the personal accolade in 2013, Kelly helped Dublin win a first Leinster title since 1961. He also picked up a National League medal in 2011.

His club mate, and former Dublin team mate, Chris Crummey paid tribute to him, speaking to our reporter Peter Branigan at the launch of the Leinster Championship.

'Peter’s been an unbelievable player for the club, and for the county. He’s going to be a massive loss to the set-up.'

'He has that experience, won an All-Star; a great leader in the dressing room, and a talent on the pitch.'

'From a personal point of view, I’m lucky in that I might have a few more years to play with him for the club. Hopefully we can be successful there.'

Crummey started in all six games of Dublin’s National League campaign, but came off injured in the second-half of the quarter-final defeat to Tipperary.

'I was very lucky with the injury. It was a painful one, but there was no major damage done.'

'I got a few weeks there training with the club, and a couple of games under my belt. So I’m getting back to 100%, and I’m looking forward to the Championship.'

Anthony Cunningham has been more used to plotting ways to get passed Peter Kelly over the years. He was in charge of the Galway team which lost that 2013 Leinster Final to the Dubs, but he’s now part of Pat Gilroy’s backroom team. He says Kelly wasn’t far off committing to the county for the summer.

'He was an outstanding full-back, and for several years he was one of the best in the country.'

'He was back with us, and had been training with us since before Christmas. We hoped he would overcome his injuries, and he was given every chance.'

'Things were going well, and he was delighted with his progress. But the volume of work just became too difficult for him.'

'He made up his mind that he was going to concentrate on his club, and I mean everyone wants to play as hurling for as long as they can; that’s only natural.'

'But he is undoubtedly a loss for Dublin.'

Of the short amount of time he’s spent with The Dubs, Cunningham says he’s happy. The League, for him, was about getting to see as many players as he could.

'We tried a lot of new players, and we used it to learn, and gain experience.'

'Our lack of experience told on some days. We were happy with the performances against Tipperary, and Galway at Parnell Park, but they had more experienced players out there.'

'For example against Tipp, the game turned on John McGrath’s goal before the break. The ball he ran on to we should have, and really at this level, have to keep away from our goal.'

'But that’s what it’s all about for us. There’s only so much coaching you can do. We’ve fine-tuned, and improved, but you can’t match the big days at Croke Park, and playing the likes of Tipperary.'

'That learning is paramount for us.'

Cunningham also confirmed that as well as the four Cuala players returning, Sean Moran, Cian O’Callaghan, Jake Malone, and David Treacy, that Liam Rushe is also back training. Dublin open their Leinster Championship campaign against Kilkenny at Parnell Park on May 13th.